Leaked images that seem to reveal the unconfirmed 'Space Jam' Nike LeBron 17 sneaker are going viral - and it reveals how much the industry banks on hype for success

• Nike is reportedly dropping two "Space Jam" Nike LeBron 17 sneakers.
• Sneaker resale marketplace GOAT's release calendar stated that the shoes are expected to drop during NBA All-Star Weekend on February 14-16, Sole Collector reported.
• Unconfirmed images of one pair, the LeBron 17 "Monstars," went viral on social media on Wednesday. Sneaker News later reported that the "Monstars" would go for $200.
• Nike did not return Business Insider's request for comment on the sneakers.
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

When it comes to sneaker culture, hype is everything.

Nike is reportedly dropping two pairs of a new collaboration sneaker, though the athletic company has yet to confirm it to the public. Images and videos of one pair of the unconfirmed sneaker - the LeBron 17 "Monstars" - went viral on social media on Wednesday morning.

Bleacher Report Kicks, Bleacher Report's arm covering sneaker culture, tweeted a video of what it said were the new sneakers and posted images of them on its Instagram account, which has over 1.5 million followers.

Sneaker resale marketplace GOAT's release calendar stated that the shoes are expected to drop during NBA All-Star Weekend on February 14-16, Sole Collector reported.

The Monstars would be a nod to "Space Jam 2," a film that will star LeBron James and come out in 2021, Sneaker News reported on Wednesday.

The sneaker resale industry could be worth $6 billion globally by 2025, a Cowen & Co. analysis estimated. Those who can hack it have made millions.

Popular sneakers generally resell for much higher than their retail price because of limited releases and celebrity collaborations, which help fuel a culture of hype around the shoes.

Nike and GOAT did not return Business Insider's requests for comment.

This story was originally published by bleacher report.

First look at the Nike LeBron 17 "Monstars" for All-Star 2020 ���� @KingJames pic.twitter.com/453bShaGyv

- B/R Kicks (@brkicks) January 22, 2020